Extensible knitting needle



Filed Sept. 25, 1952 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 9, 1954 STATES PATENT OFFICE EXTENSIBLE KNITTING NEEDLE Bernice-E. Barsky, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application-September 23, 1952, Serial'No. 311,063

4- Claims. 1

This invention relates o knitting needles and relates more particularly to a novel needle for hand knittingwhich-permits of knitting of articles-in a continuous stitch in widths substantially greater than is possible-with conventional knitting-needles.

tingsmaller articles and wherein the needle may be increased in length as-the workprogresses to greater widths.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knitting needle comprising a knittingpoint and a flexible cable attached thereto and wherein means are provided or preventing stitches from slipping off. the outer end. of the. needle and for guarding the point during non-use to reduce the possibility of' injury both to the poi-nt and to the user and also for preventing the knitted material from slipping off the knittingpoint.

Yet another object of the invention is the. provisionof a knitting needle of adjustable length wherein the outer section of the needle, which comprises a flexible cable, is arranged to be doubled back on itself, the terminal being secured to a collar which is slidably carried for longitudinal movement on the flexible cable section.

In accordance with the present invention the knitting point formed at the inner end of the needle structure is relatively rigid and unbendable, and may 'be formed from metal, plastic or other material. Extending from the outer end of the knitting point is a flexible cable, preferably formed from plastic or other smooth material and which is of greater length than usual knitting needle. The collar which may resemble a common button in shape is provided with the aforesaid central bearing opening of substantially the same size as that of the diameter of the cable. The size of this opening is such as to afford frictional resistance to travel on the cable While still permitting the collar to be manually moved thereon to a desired position. The collar is further provided with an eccentric opening which receives the outer terminal ofthe flexible cable section in secured relation, and a second eccentric opening to receive the knitting point when the needle is not in use.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that another important object of the invention is'to provide an improved knitting needle which reduces the tiresome manipulation of along needle .2- but which provides a needle of any desired length and which prevents the knitted work from falling off either end thereof when not in use.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a guard for the working end of the knitting point when it is not in use.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a broken plan view of the knitting needle of the present invention,'the view showing the needle in fully extended position;

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. l but shows the needle inpartially shortened condition, the View also showing a modified construction;

Fig. 3 is asectiontaken on.,line 33 of Fig.2.

The extensible needle of the present invention includes a knittingpoint i0: and a cablesection II which is joined to the rear terminal of the point.

The knitting point which is formed of metal or=plastio may be of a'length convenient for holding in the hand; This length should be somewhat greater than the width of thehand of the user-and a length of about, five. inches. should suflice. The knitting point is provided with a rounded and tapered working end l2 and a tapered rear terminal I3 having a longitudinal bore (not shown) which receives the forward terminal of the flexible cable which is of lesser diameter than the knitting point and which is secured as by cementing within the bore. The cable may be made from some of the well known plastics which are smooth and light in weight.

A circular collar 15 has a number of openings including a central opening I6 of substantially the same diameter as that of the cable which it receives in snug-fit, sliding relation. Another opening I! receives the outer terminal of the cable, which has been doubled back upon itself, in secured relation as by cementing. It will be seen from the foregoing that the effective length of the cable can be varied as the collar is moved from the position of Fig. 1 to some position nearer to the knitting point. As a modification, the collar may also have a third opening 28 of substantially the same diameter as'that of the knitting point. The knitting point may then be inserted in this opening at the conclusion of knitting.

The knitting needle of the present invention may be used in the usual fashion for knitting. The slidable collar may be moved to any desired position, depending upon the width of the work. The frictional engagement with the flexible section prevents casual movement of the collar. In any fixed position the collar acts as an abutment for the outer end of the work and serves as a loop retainer. When the operator desires to discontinue work it is only necessary to move the knitted loops towards the right when viewed as in Figs. 1 and 2 and then insert the knitting point into opening 20. The looped section thus prevents dislocation of the work and the proximity of the knitting point to the adjacent portion of the cable acts to guard the point. This guarding arrangement, while possibly not as effective as a separately'applied guard, such as a cork, nevertheless serves its purpose well and there are no detachable parts to be lost.

While two forms or embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein for illustrative purposes, and the construction and arrangement incidental to two specific applications thereof have been disclosed and discussed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, nor toits specific embodiments shown herein, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated forms or embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the principles thereof What I claim is:

1. An extensible knitting needle comprising a relatively rigid knitting point, a flexible cable of lesser diameter than the knitting point extending from one end of the latter, and a collar having an opening through which the cable passes, thus mounting the collar on the cable for sliding movement, the cable being bent back upon itself and the free terminal thereof being secured to the collar, the collar being suificiently large to act as an abutment for limiting travel of the knitted material on the needle.

2. A knitting needle of the character described comprising a relatively rigid knitting point provided with a working end, a flexible cable of lesser diameter than the knitting point extending from the opposite end thereof, a circular collar having a plurality of apertures, the cable passing through one of said apertures, thus mounting the collar for sliding movement thereon, the size of i said opening being such as to frlctionally resist free travel of the collar on the cable, the cable being doubled back on itself and its free terminal being secured in a second opening.

3. A knitting needle of the character described comprising a relatively rigid knitting point provided with a working end, a flexible cable of lesser diameter than the knitting point extending from the opposite end thereof, a collar having a plurality of apertures therein, the flexible cable passing through one of said apertures, thus mounting the collar for sliding movement thereon, said opening being of such size as to frictionally resist free travel of the collar on the cable, the cable being doubled back on itself and its free terminal being secured in a second opening, the knitting point being receivable in a third opening in snug fit relation to hold the knitting point and the cable in generally parallel relation whereby the latter acts as a guard for the working end of the knitting point.

i. A knitting needle of the character described comprising a relatively rigid knitting point provided with a Working end, a flexible cable of lesser diameter than the knitting point extending from the opposite end thereof, a collar having a plurality of apertures therein, the flexible cable passing through the first aperture, thus mounting the collar for sliding movement on the cable, said opening being of such size as to frictionally resist free travel of the collar on the cable, the free terminal of the cable being permanently secured in the second opening, th knitting point being receivable in the third opening in snug fit relation to prevent stitches carried on the needle from sliding off the same.

BERNICE E. BARSKY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,967,005 Carlson July 17, 1934 2,118,210 Luther May 24, 1938 2,591,836 Landon Apr. 8, 1952 cm/ -11- v 

